The eighth edition of the Air Legend airshow took place September 5–6, 2026, at Melun-Villaroche Airport, near Paris. Known for bringing together historic aircraft and modern military aviation, the event once again presented an impressive program for enthusiasts and photographers from across Europe. Melun-Villaroche provides an especially fitting setting for the airshow. Located approximately 25 miles southeast of Paris, the historic airfield has been closely associated with the testing of Dassault aircraft and Snecma—now Safran—engines since 1947. Legendary French aircraft such as the Dassault Ouragan and Mirage series, as well as the experimental Balzac V, were tested there. Today, the airport remains an active center for aviation while preserving its connection to France’s aerospace heritage.
One of Air Legend’s most popular features is its morning flight-line experience. Until noon, visitors can walk among the participating aircraft and helicopters, photograph them at close range, learn about their histories, and speak with pilots as they prepare for the day’s flying displays. Historic aircraft remain at the heart of Air Legend, and the 2026 program featured several significant warbirds representing World War II and the Cold War. Among the largest were the Douglas A-26C Invader Sweet Eloise II and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B.
Three North American P-51D Mustangs—Little Rebel, Marinell, and Miss AVA—represented one of the most celebrated Allied fighters of World War II. Other large historic aircraft included a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina and the Douglas C-53 Skytrooper Gruesome, which flew alongside Chalair Aviation’s Douglas C-47B Skytrain.
Air Legend has also earned a reputation for creating unusual and memorable formations. This year, the rare Caudron C.460 racer flew with a Beechcraft D17S Staggerwing, bringing together two distinctive designs from the 1930s. In another dramatic pairing, two French Navy Dassault Rafale M fighters flew alongside a Vought F4U-5NL Corsair.
A Stampe SV-4 also produced one of the weekend’s most visually striking displays, trailing two enormous yellow ribbons across the blue sky. Cold War aviation was represented by flying demonstrations from a North American F-86 Sabre and a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17.
(Image credit: Kris Christiaens)
The French armed forces maintained a strong presence throughout the weekend. French Army Light Aviation, better known as ALAT, demonstrated a SOCATA TBM 700, a Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter, and an NHIndustries NH90 TTH transport helicopter. The French Air and Space Force’s Couteau Delta team displayed two Mirage 2000D strike fighters, while the French Navy demonstrated the capabilities of its Rafale M carrier-based fighters. No major French airshow would be complete without the Patrouille de France, whose precision formation flying once again provided one of the event’s highlights.
(Image credit: Kris Christiaens)
The international program also included performances by the Royal Jordanian Falcons and Britain’s Team Raven. Both teams added aerobatic variety to a flying schedule already filled with historic aircraft and modern military hardware. Reflecting Melun-Villaroche’s continuing connection with the aviation industry and nearby Safran facilities, the event also welcomed a Corsair Airbus A330neo. The widebody airliner made several impressive low-altitude passes over the airfield, offering a striking contrast to the smaller warbirds and fighters displayed throughout the weekend. In less than a decade, Air Legend has established itself as one of Europe’s leading events for vintage aircraft and warbirds. Its historic location, varied flying program, and combination of aviation heritage and contemporary air power continue to attract visitors from across the continent.
